Any and all J/Boats invited to come out for J/Fest! Between posts on this board and posts on the J/FestSouthwest website there are about a dozen people looking for rides. We also have people from North Texas and Dillon, Co. Looking for rides.
Come on out! grab some new crew, and come out and race or cruise. Main thing is to have fun!
OK, I'll bite:
Where is Kenai, Aeolius, Rebecca, Radiance, a bucket load of j22'2 and j24's, and especially that grind4beer guy?
Where are the 109's? Why did good Al have to do an 80?
Hmm?
Bee-
All great questions! There are about 400 J/Boats scattered throughout Texas. Most of them trailerable. One of the original concepts is to provide an event to get those on the fence about racing (J/world instruction and less competitive classes) to come to an event that could ease them into that scene and get help in all aspects of travel. The other direction J/Fest has taken is to provide great racing for the established OD classes. Combine that with first class hospitality at LYC and we thought the event could attract a good percentage of the J/Boat owners. LYC has offered up plenty of kegs of beer, a gourmet "cajun" dinner, and a band. The J/24 fleet is sponsoring shore side games. There is also Kattack on two or three of the fleets, and photographers for viewing at the clubhouse.
All in all those of us that do go will have better odds for all the great raffle prizes! Several thousand dollars worth of stuff to give away again this year!
One of these days we will find the right formula to get more boats out-in the meantime if anyone has any ideas we are all ears!
Looking forward to a great weekend! This is the best time of the year to sail!
Quote from: Bee on October 23, 2011, 05:02:53 PM
OK, I'll bite:
Where is Kenai, Aeolius, Rebecca, Radiance, a bucket load of j22'2 and j24's, and especially that grind4beer guy?
Where are the 109's? Why did good Al have to do an 80?
Hmm?
Grind4Beer guy has music rehearsals Monday, Tuesday and Thursday and concerts Friday and Sunday. He's currently pondering the logistics of racing a J24 on Saturday.
Regards,
His faithful personal secretary, snacktician and double-handed grinder.
Yea! The 22's made a class!
Cool. We are up to 39. Who will give me 40?
Here's an idea... call it "bayfest" instead of "jfest" and let's have another 100+-boat regatta on Galveston Bay.
I'm sure it was great fun... standing around the keg, slapping each other on the back for being in the "j" club.
But this weekend your' event was missing some really fantastic people who make sailing on Galveston Bay fun (for me at least). Tres Hombres, Revolution, hot ticket, the melges guys, an aerodyne 38 or two, some rowdy C22's and a pack of wild viper sailors just to name a few.
How fun was the the HYC OD party! And that didn't include all the PHRF boat's i mentioned.
Give it some thought.
I agree with Jonsey's comment, especially if the JBoat guys expect a decent PHRF fleet to materialize. This regatta concept is all well and good for the one designs (J22, J24, J80, J105) as they can integrate it into their circuit stops, but what's the point in having a 2-3 boat PHRF fleet or a 1-2 boat cruising class? Now that HYC has stepped up with their HOOD to salvage the NOOD regatta, it's time for LYC to get on the bandwagon.
I know the viper guys would appreciate another fall regatta now that the local fleet has grown to 10+ boats.
Less restricitons = more fun for everyone.
So you guys want to tell the organizers how dumb they are for not including everyone in a J-Fest Regatta. Just wrong for them to have a regatta that only includes J-Beats, right? Best to demonize them for doing so two years in a row, right? How about those held a couple years ago. Why not blast them for doing that as well. Oh, and why not wait until the last minute to do it. I smell a lot of envy.
These J-Fest Regattas are generally strongly supported by J-Boats and their local dealers. The idea is to provide a venue that will help keep those fleets (even those with boats that are no longer manufactured) going and increasing. There are usually several held around the country every year. Why shouldn't we have one here?
From what I know there are two Viper designs. The 640 and the 830. Not sure that's enough for their support, but how about having Rondar Raceboats fund a Viper-Fest (or maybe a Viper-Iinfestation) and then invite everyone to show up. I'm sure we could get at least 6 local J105's on the line.
This may well be the last J-Fest here for a while, and if so, I would like to enjoy it without hearing negative comments about just how stupid it is to have it and participate in it.
BTW, LYC did indeed step up to the plate.
LYC invited J/Boats and J/Boats Southwest to host this event. There are a number of J/Boat owners based out of that club. We feel happy an lucky to support this event with LYC as the host event. LYC has stepped up and they have an all volunteer and paid staff committee working hard to put this event together. They have done an outstanding job.
I've told Jonesy COUNTLESS times, and other clubs, and sailors as well that there could definitely be another regatta that is a BayFest that is all inclusive. The bay is a big enough race track for 6 circles if we could get the boats. Fold in Clear Lake and we could have a lot of racing venues. Instead of throwing darts step up and organize the event. If you've got the idea and can back it up with the time commitment, dollars, etc. I'm sure there any number of venues that will work with you-including LYC.
As mentioned earlier there are a lot of J/Boaters we need to get back to sailing. We had hope to get them to come out with their J/120's, J/92's, J/35's, J/29's, J/30's to re-energize them. We hope to find the formula to make that happen and keep this ball rolling.
In the meantime what this sport doesn't need are whiners and nay sayers. We are all trying to get people to come out and sail any way we can. J/Fest is targeted at a group that does need to get back to sailing.
Now back to J/Fest-thanks to a flurry of sign ups we now
Bee I?ve been giving Spurlin crap about Jfest for two years .. every time he starts ?whining? about the decline of our sport, boat sales etc I give him the formula for success.
Whining Scott??? Bee was whining about ?where are all the boats?, I simply responded a reasonable opinion / idea.
Hope the weather cooperates this weekend and you sell a ton of boats? (at least the ones not built in China)
Not whining, just realizing the uptapped potential to make a good regatta even better. I think history is starting to show that combining circuit stops for all classes across the board is what will push regattas into the "elite" status that many of us will attend.
I may have been whining but it was for more J-BOATS.
Your whining because your not in it.
This is a J-Fest. It is not a Viper-Infestation. It is not in anyway supported by Rondar Raceboats.
Regardless of the viper exclusion, the J-PHRF and J-Cruise classes are still pointless. I'd hate to be throwing down big bucks for a 111 or a 122 and only race against one or two other boats. Yet, if they don't register the J-boat guys will say WTF for not supporting the event.
Earlier this year we actually thought we would have 6-8 boats in this class. With a couple of J/120's, J/35's, etc. For whatever reason it didn't pan out. We will keep trying to get these boats out. I don't think it would make any difference if it was a Regatta or J/Fest.
But the point is that we are trying to find the right formula to get these owners out. And we won't be saying WTF. We will be asking "Why" and "What" can we do to get you out for J/Fest or any other regatta. Unfortunately we have about a dozen eager crew members looking for rides and not enough boats. So no whining here just trying to put together a nice event for the J/Boat owners.
WTF? How low can you actually go?
Thanks you Scott. Carry on!
Scott, point well taken, and it's frustrating to all of us to see some owners choose to sit on the sidelines. For the record I have sailed on j-boats my entire life, I got nothing against them. I think the point is that we'd like to see the regatta reach it's full potential, and just trying to be creative about ways to expand. The HYC one design was a hit, and we are enthusiastic about keeping the momentum going.
The HYC one design excluded boats from racing!! Didn't see the two Melges 32s, two 1d35's, king 40 or J-122 invited out there!! Let along the two j120's. That would make a great phrf A class.
I love the J Fest idea. Any time we can get a top notch sponsor like J Boats SW to sponsor an event that is a positive thing in my opinion. I also agree the one design concept is a great event as well, but it did exclude a lot of potential race boats from participating.
Kevin hayes
Good point Kevin, and with the exception of the LYC Shoe Race I can't think of another regatta that is open to all classes for bouy racing. It would be nice to get that PHRF A class together on a regular basis. Which also brings up the question, how can we continue to grow the racing scene on Galveston Bay? Look at what Charleston Race Week has become over the last 10 years, there's no reason why we can't do the same.
I?m all about getting more boat?s on the water? vipers, j22?s, C22?s, whatever! Getting people excited about sailing again, in general. I think that happens when someone shows?s up at a regatta and a) there is some good sailing b) on-shore activities are off-the-hook! (ie, big party)
In our range of boats (viper-type) we have a few guys building I550s?, a few U20?s, M24 and soon perhaps some J70?s. We have, in the past made room on our starting line for those guys. Even though the vipers had enough boats to carve out an OD fleet we adopted them in an overall mixed fleet. We awarded an overall and then a secondary award for any respective OD fleets within that group.
We just want to see those boats out on the water. If they have an opportunity to race against like-designs their going to have a better time as opposed to getting stuck in with some orphan J109 or J105?s.
I don?t agree with HYC about excluding PHRF fleets, and I?ve made that opinion known. That was a good event but would have been MUCH better if we would have added 50 PHRF boats!
That pretty much describes my philosophy?. Lots of boats on the line, and lots of people at the party!
Jfest goes the other direction. It says ?here?s a great event but if you don?t have a Jboat, you?re not invited to play? So Bee would you advocate having a rondarfest, melgesfest, benetaufest, catalinafest?
Earlier you said that the purpose of this regatta was to help support local jfleets. I say that is absolute crap.. it?s 100% about building their brand and selling boats. If Jboat?s was that concerned about keeping fleets strong why would they introduce a new model ever 6 months? that fractures and existing fleet. If you don?t think the J70 is going to affect the J80 fleet? hold on to your hat. J105, J109, J120, J122, J111 (did I miss any?) Come on Bee.. you cant bee that dense and Scott doest have that good of a game-face.
As for whining because we cant attend? not the case at all. I?ve had plenty of offers but I feel strongly enough that this is the wrong thing to do for our sport that I?m going nowhere near it. I?m vocal about it but I promise that?s a pretty popular opinion down on Galveston Bay.
Our next event will be Wurstfest. It?s open to everyone, and it?s a damn good time. I hope to see a hundred Jboat?s down there?. Just don?t get my camping spot!
It sounds like Jboat?s is going to abandon the idea after this year. I?d like to make a challenge to them, along with all the other boat dealers including Rondar, Melges and Bennett Yachting Tech (the three I follow). Let?s get together with the major clubs on the bay and put together an event that will blow people?s minds!
I doubt J-Boats is going to stop doing this. Its to their advantage in every way.
As I said earlier, get Rondar Raceboats to step up to he plate and host one for everyone. In fact, get any other manufacturer to do the same. How about Beneteau? Catalina? Schock? (do they still exist), Melges? Now that would be a hoot. I can see the Melges folk hosting one of these for everyone ----- NOT. Actually, I can't see the Melges folk hosting anything like this for their own boats.
I agree with Kevin. J-Fest is great for the sport and great for all of us J-Boat owners. Just because you don't own one and just because you, like SA, think its cool to bash 'em does not mean they are bad boats or a bad company.
Quote from: bshores on October 25, 2011, 07:59:05 AM
Good point Kevin, and with the exception of the LYC Shoe Race I can't think of another regatta that is open to all classes for bouy racing.
BBVA Performance Cup? GBCA Frostbite? Leukemia Cup? Elissa?
Where were you idea guys for these?
Kudos to JBoats Southwest and LYC for having the idea and actually putting it into action.
I"m not bashin'm bee. I didn't say an ill word about a jboat and in fact over the past ten years i've owned (2) J22's and a J80.
Myself and another viper owner have been talking about picking up a 22 to do some circuit racing. I cant convince Lambert to sell 307 back to me ;-)
Rondar's a very small company, they wouldn't have the means to support a large regatta. I wouldn't ask that of anyone. I do think that if these folks combined resources we could have really big, fun event.
Jboat's is a fanstastic company, and they build nice boats.
Bee before this last post, i was giving you a bit of rope but that's done. I think you've completly missed my point, so best to you - good luck this weekend.
I've been here. Ask around.. i made phone calls and hassled our fleet to support every event that didn't conflict with something else we had on our schedule.
Ask Jody Henry what i've done to help get boats out on galveston bay..
Quote from: ShakenNotStirred on October 25, 2011, 09:34:22 AM
Quote from: bshores on October 25, 2011, 07:59:05 AM
Good point Kevin, and with the exception of the LYC Shoe Race I can't think of another regatta that is open to all classes for bouy racing.
BBVA Performance Cup? GBCA Frostbite? Leukemia Cup? Elissa?
Where were you idea guys for these?
Kudos to JBoats Southwest and LYC for having the idea and actually putting it into action.
Jeff-No one doubts that you are a spark plug-albeit more for your own interests-that is too transparent. As far as not bashing and I quote you:
"As for whining because we cant attend? not the case at all. I?ve had plenty of offers but I feel strongly enough that this is the wrong thing to do for our sport that I?m going nowhere near it. I?m vocal about it but I promise that?s a pretty popular opinion down on Galveston Bay."
I'm sure your vocalizing it has accomplished your mission and hurt the event.
Last I counted there were 52 weekends in the calendar. Quit talking and making phone calls and step up! Walk the walk big boy!
For those that may not be aware-J/Fests originated over 25 years ago. They were held at Annapolis, Newport, San Diego, San Francisco, and New Orleans. This is not new. Previous dealer reps in this area had tried for years to host an event under the J/Fest banner-all to no avail. A couple of years ago a few J/Boat owners got with me and asked about replicating this event in Houston and J/Boats agreed. There is nothing more to it then that. Why would I not support the owners efforts to put this together? And as I said in an earlier post there are plenty of weekends for others to use for an event they want to architect, sponsor, and run. And if JBoat owners were not to be invited I'm pretty sure none of us would come over and defacate in somebody elses's sandbox. So congratulations Jeff Jones for stirring it up-you can be proud! You've done a great job. For a guy that has had a Lindenbergh, 505, J/22, J/22, Viper 830, Viper 640, J/80, Wavelength 24, Laser, a couple of Vipers, all in the last ten years, and now has a VX on order I'm sure it would be hard for you to commit to hosting a multi-year regatta that supports any one design. Just so you know it takes a lot of commitment and effort by a lot of folks that don't appreciate the bashing of their efforts for no real good reason.
J/Fest will live on and I'm sure we will make it bigger and better every year! I'm looking forward to it. And for the record, once again, J/Boats Southwest spent tens of thousands of dollars to support the following regatta's: J/24 Austin Circuit stop, J/24 Nationals-DCYC, 'Ol Man of the Sea Regatta-FWBC, Dillon Open-Colorado, ISSA High School Nationals, and several others I can't recall at the moment.
Do I think having a big regatta on the Bay would be fun? Absolutely! I've talked about that to people that will and can actually do something about it. I've had several discussions with posters in this thread. Everyone knows how I feel about the bay. It could be bigger then Charleston-but it would take a full on collaboration amongst all of the clubs, Seabrook shipyard, etc. I don't think it makes any sense to try an morph J/Fest into that event. I think it is a different event that could be held in the spring. It certainly doesn't make sense for people to bash an event that with over 40 boats registered is a good fun event. I remain open to ideas and will put my check book and my effort into making the sport better for all. (As long as it's in a J/Boat!! KIDDING! KIDDING!-simmer down!)
I totally agree Jeff. No point in continuing this discussion.
Up to 42 boats. Can we get a couple more? Gotta be at least 3 out there.
Sorry bee - one last post and then i'm dust-
Scott's right, i'm absolutly transparent but...
Perhaps i didn't illustrate my point very well. No intent to bash the regatta, anyone or any brand of boat. As scott mentions, i've had and enjoyed a lot of em'. In hindsite, putting this on the forum was a mistake. Bee - i'd love the opportunity to swap some idea's in November assuming you and Charles will be at wurstfest again.
So fair weather, and good sailing this weekend. And if, in the future it happens that you want to turn this into a larger event I would certainly be all over helping the effort.
Quote from: BoomerangJ on October 25, 2011, 10:36:41 AM
For those that may not be aware-J/Fests originated over 25 years ago. They were held at Annapolis, Newport, San Diego, San Francisco, and New Orleans. This is not new. Previous dealer reps in this area had tried for years to host an event under the J/Fest banner-all to no avail. A couple of years ago a few J/Boat owners got with me and asked about replicating this event in Houston and J/Boats agreed. There is nothing more to it then that. Why would I not support the owners efforts to put this together? And as I said in an earlier post there are plenty of weekends for others to use for an event they want to architect, sponsor, and run. And if JBoat owners were not to be invited I'm pretty sure none of us would come over and defacate in somebody elses's sandbox. So congratulations Jeff Jones for stirring it up-you can be proud! You've done a great job. For a guy that has had a Lindenbergh, 505, J/22, J/22, Viper 830, Viper 640, J/80, Wavelength 24, Laser, a couple of Vipers, all in the last ten years, and now has a VX on order I'm sure it would be hard for you to commit to hosting a multi-year regatta that supports any one design. Just so you know it takes a lot of commitment and effort by a lot of folks that don't appreciate the bashing of their efforts for no real good reason.
J/Fest will live on and I'm sure we will make it bigger and better every year! I'm looking forward to it. And for the record, once again, J/Boats Southwest spent tens of thousands of dollars to support the following regatta's: J/24 Austin Circuit stop, J/24 Nationals-DCYC, 'Ol Man of the Sea Regatta-FWBC, Dillon Open-Colorado, ISSA High School Nationals, and several others I can't recall at the moment.
Do I think having a big regatta on the Bay would be fun? Absolutely! I've talked about that to people that will and can actually do something about it. I've had several discussions with posters in this thread. Everyone knows how I feel about the bay. It could be bigger then Charleston-but it would take a full on collaboration amongst all of the clubs, Seabrook shipyard, etc. I don't think it makes any sense to try an morph J/Fest into that event. I think it is a different event that could be held in the spring. It certainly doesn't make sense for people to bash an event that with over 40 boats registered is a good fun event. I remain open to ideas and will put my check book and my effort into making the sport better for all. (As long as it's in a J/Boat!! KIDDING! KIDDING!-simmer down!)
Mean while, back at the ranch/yachtclub... ::)
Some decent crew are still looking for a ride. The interest is there. Where are the boats?
And....
Some very decent boats are not showing up:
Radiance, Rebecca, French Connection, Pole Dancer, Harm's Way, Aeolius, and, although he tried, Hamburgerler.
Oh where oh where have these little J-Boats gone oh where oh where can they be?
Hope the wind predictions are off by 5-10 kts.
I am loading up the pictures from the B line for the J80s, J105 and the J111 & J122. Loading Day 2 right now at
http://www.lacyphotos.com/ and the gallery is
LYC J-Fest J80,105,111 & 122 D2 2011
Will have to page down to the bottom to see the galleries
Enjoy
m/v Tramp
Great pics, looks like you we're able to get some sweet layline shots....look at all those J80s!...pics 516 to 520
Here are my JFest photos from the J/22 and J/24 line.
http://garytphoto.smugmug.com/SailboatRacing/JFest (http://garytphoto.smugmug.com/SailboatRacing/JFest)
Be sure to check out the start of race 3 on Sunday, lot's of great J-24 action.
Man, Trink you do good work. Wish you have been on the big boat line.